NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cabinet approves expansion of academic and infrastructure capacity of five IITs: The Union Cabinet has approved Phase-B construction to expand academic and infrastructure capacity at five IITs—Tirupati, Palakkad, Bhilai, Jammu, and Dharwad—at a cost of ₹11,828.79 crore over four years (2025–26 to 2028–29).The expansion will increase total student capacity from 7,111 to 13,687 (an addition of 6,576 students) and will also establish five new research parks to strengthen industry-academia collaboration.130 new faculty positions at the professor level will be created, and the project will generate direct and indirect employment through faculty hiring, campus development, and support services.Though the five IITs are located in specific states, the pan-India admission process ensures the benefits of this expansion will be distributed across the entire country, contributing to innovation, education equity, and economic growth.
2. Jyotirditya Scindia inaugurates 22nd edition of Bharat Telecom 2025: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has inaugurated the 22nd edition of Bharat Telecom in New Delhi.Bharat Telecom is an annual event that aims to present India as a provider of world-class telecom solutions.The Bharat Telecom Expo is organised by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export PromotionCouncil (TEPC) in partnership with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The Department of Telecommunications comes under the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.The Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council is under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
3. Prakash Magdum Appointed as MD of National Film Development Corporation: Prakash Magdum has taken charge as the Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), bringing his vast experience in media and film administration.A 1999 batch officer of the Indian Information Service, he has previously served as Additional Director General at both the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.Magdum has held key roles in India’s film institutions, including as Director of the National Film Archive of India and Registrar of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Maharashtra.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Introduces Genome-Edited Rice Varieties: Kamla & Pusa DST Rice 1: India has unveiled its first genome-edited rice varieties — DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1 — marking a global first in this field. The announcement was made by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.These newly developed rice varieties are projected to increase crop yield by 25–30% and contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane and nitrous oxide, which are commonly released from waterlogged paddy fields.Kamla (DRR Rice 100) was created by modifying the widely grown Samba Mahsuri variety using genome-editing techniques. Developed by the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad, Kamla offers higher grain count per panicle and matures faster, making it suitable for widespread cultivation.On the other hand, Pusa DST Rice 1, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, is a genome-edited version of the Cottondora Sannalu variety. It boasts better productivity and is particularly suited for saline and alkaline soils.
2. Parameswaran Iyer Appointed as India’s Representative to the IMF Board: Parameswaran Iyer, currently serving as the Executive Director at the World Bank, has been appointed to represent India on the Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).His nomination was necessitated to fill a vacancy created with the termination of services of K.V. Subramanian.Iyer brings a wealth of experience in public administration and international development, having held significant positions in both the Indian government and international organizations.
3. Yemen appoints Salem Saleh Bin Braik as PM: Yemen‘s Presidential Leadership Council announced the appointment of Salem Saleh Bin Braik, former Finance Minister, as the new Prime Minister following the resignation of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak.Mubarak stepped down due to challenges in implementing a cabinet reshuffle and disagreements with Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Council, over the dismissal of 12 ministers.The country continues to face a prolonged civil war, with Houthi rebels controlling most of the territory, including the capital, Sanaa, and ongoing U.S. military operations targeting Houthi positions.
4. 5 May – World Portuguese Language Day: World Portuguese Language Day was officially proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019 to be celebrated annually on May 5, recognizing the global importance of the Portuguese language.Portuguese is the official language of 9 countries, including Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe, with over 265 million speakers, making it one of the most spoken languages in the world.The day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and highlights the role of Portuguese in fostering cooperation, literature, education, science, and international dialogue among Lusophone countries.
5. 6 May 2025 – World Asthma Day: World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May to raise awareness and improve care for asthma patients around the world. In 2025, it was observed on 6th May.Theme 2025 -Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
6. 7 May – World Athletics Day: Every year, World Athletics Day is celebrated on May 7 to encourage people, particularly young people, to get involved in sports.It is a yearly occasion to recognise athletes and impart virtues like perseverance and drive that we can all learn from sports.
7. 8 May – World Thalassaemia Day: World Thalassaemia Day is observed annually on May 8 to raise global awareness about thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder characterized by the body’s inability to produce adequate hemoglobin, leading to anemia and other health complications.Theme 2025 – Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing PatientsThalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form or inadequate amount of hemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This leads to anemia (a shortage of red blood cells), causing fatigue, weakness, and other serious health problems.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. US-Mexico Military Relations: In recent developments, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire for American troops to assist Mexico in combating drug cartels. This proposition was firmly rejected by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who emphasised the importance of Mexican sovereignty. This exchange marks the complex nature of US-Mexico relations, particularly regarding military intervention. The historical backdrop of these relations is marked by military conflicts, notably the Mexican-American War and the Pancho Villa Expedition. The Mexican-American War was initiated under President James K. Polk, motivated by the belief in “manifest destiny.” Polk aimed to annex Texas and expand US territory into California and New Mexico. In 1846, following failed negotiations, Polk deployed troops into disputed territory, leading to a Mexican response and the subsequent declaration of war. The US military quickly gained ground, capturing Mexico City within 16 months. The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, resulting in territorial gains for the US, including California and New Mexico, for $15 million. This conflict not only expanded US territory but also heightened tensions regarding slavery and contributed to the American Civil War.
SPORTS
1. Rohit Sharma retires from Test Cricket: Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test Cricket with immediate effect.Rohit has scored 4301 runs in 67 Tests with 12 hundreds and 18 half centuries at an average of 40.57.Meanwhile, the 38-year-old cricketer will continue to represent India in ODIs.He made his Test debut in 2013 and was appointed Test captain in 2022.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IIFT gets approval to set up off-campus centre at GIFT City: The Union Ministry of Education has approved setting up an off-campus centre of IIFT, New Delhi, at GIFT City, Gujarat, under the UGC Regulations 2023, to offer the flagship MBA (International Business) programme and specialised courses.The approval was granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, after IIFT met all LoI requirements, aligning with NEP 2020’s vision for multidisciplinary and quality education.The new campus will be located on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower 2 and will include advanced infrastructure like a modern library, plans for a permanent campus, and facilities for research and training in international business.
2. Chhattisgarh CM lays foundation of India’s first AI-based data park: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has laid the foundation of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based data centre park in Sector-22 of Nava Raipur.The project is expected to generate around 500 direct and 1,500 indirect employment opportunities, with priority given to locals.The data centre park spread across 5.5 hectares, to be operated by RackBank Datacenters Private Limited, will include a 2.7-hectare area developed as a Special Economic Zone and the project will be fully dedicated to AI-based services.The first phase will begin with a capacity of five megawatts, and may be expanded up to 150 megawatts. An additional investment of approximately ₹2,000 crore is anticipated.
3. C-DOT and CSIR-NPL Sign MoU to Advance Collaborative Research in Classical and Quantum Communications: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) have signed an MoU to jointly advance research and innovation in classical and quantum communication technologies, aligning with national goals of technological sovereignty and self-reliance.The partnership combines C-DOT’s strengths in telecom and quantum communication with CSIR-NPL’s capabilities in scientific measurement and standardization, promoting joint R&D, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure access.The initiative supports India’s ambition to lead in next-generation secure communication by fostering academic exchange, ensuring IP transparency, and contributing to “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Nirmala Sitharaman attends the 58th ADB Board of Governors meeting: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 58th annual Board of Governors meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Italy. Nirmala Sitharaman represents India on the Board of Governors of the ADB.The 58th Board of Governors meeting was inaugurated by the ADB President Masato Kanda on 5th May 2025.The 58th Board of Governors meeting theme was Sharing Experience, Building Tomorrow.The annual meetings of the Board of Governors are held in the member countries of the ADB. Italy is the founding member of the ADB.The 57th annual meeting of the Board of Governors was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 2 to 5 May 2024. The next 59th Board of Governors meeting will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 3- 6 May 2026.
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